House hops on idea of tree frog as state symbol

Official amphibian?

The state House voted Tuesday to designate the frogs as the official state amphibian. The proposal still must pass the Senate - and overcome complaints that the frog bill is a waste of lawmakers' time.

The proposal has been pending since last year, when Democratic Rep. Barbara Massey Reece of Menlo introduced it at the urging of a fourth grade science class in her west Georgia district. Lawmakers were loath to take up the matter, still smarting from the silly press they got two years ago when they approved grits as the official state prepared food.

''We've got too many important things to be doing down here to be spending our time on this frog thing,'' said Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta.

Many legislators poked fun at the measure - one Republican even strolled the aisle chanting ''Rribbit, rribbitt'' - but ultimately only three voted against it. The proposal passed 156-3.

Reece defended the proposal, saying it would encourage the students studying science and civics and would cost the state nothing.

''We have a state bird, a state fossil, but no state amphibian,'' said Reece, who also pointed out that the frog is found nearly statewide.

If approved by the Senate, the green tree frog would join 43 other official state symbols, from ''Georgia on my Mind'' (song) to the Vidalia sweet onion (vegetable).

Georgia also has an official reptile, possum and pork cook off, the Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig, held every fall in Dooly County. A proposal to give sweet tea an official designation failed to come to a vote last year.